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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 2 Oct 2008
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 881
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sime66 View Post
Hi Joel

I've recently done what you want to do - the paperwork is a little bit of a pain in the arse and the waiting time at the embassy is several hours but I came away with a 10 year B1/B2 visa. When I asked them how long I could stay they said "just don't take the piss and you'll be OK". (This may not be the definitive answer).
Just make sure you've filled in all the forms (from the website) before you get there (I would list them but I can't remember).
As Simon says, it's a B1/B2 visa you need as a tourist, and they are valid for 10 years.

However, on entry to the country you are only granted 6 months (I know this, I did it last Sunday x) and you have to apply to a local NIS office to get it extended. You can apply to do this online in the US, but you must go down to a local office to do the actual paperwork. If you don't extend it with the immigration service, they will get sniffy (fines etc) again on the way out. And Visas can be revoked, so take care!

When I spoke with the US embassy in the UK before I left, she said much the same as the reply Simon got - however, that is primarily if you are coming and going regularly. If you are clearly spending more time in the USA than anywhere else (ie. over 6 months a year, and certainly if you keep extending your stay once you are there), then she said you should really apply for a residency visa - particularly as they are at liberty to say you can't stay indefinitely on a B1/B2 visa, and you must leave when the current period is up.

It is possible to convert a B1/B2 to residency, but you do have to have the (primarily financial) means to support yourself while in the USA - typically people who retire here, or spend the winter in Florida for example would have that sort of visa.

xxx
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  #2  
Old 23 Oct 2008
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New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: san diego
Posts: 13
Visa's
Not quiet accurate on the residency visa. That is also known as a green card, although it's pink! The mulitple entry visa can be extended by going into Canada or mexico and then back. When you leave the us you will have to hand over the little green notice of arrival card. That is how they track you leaving. When you ride into Mexico here In San Diego, there is no stopping on the Us side at all, so be carefull.
Getting a green card is almost impossible, either a company transfer or get married as I did.




Quote:
Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet) View Post
As Simon says, it's a B1/B2 visa you need as a tourist, and they are valid for 10 years.

However, on entry to the country you are only granted 6 months (I know this, I did it last Sunday x) and you have to apply to a local NIS office to get it extended. You can apply to do this online in the US, but you must go down to a local office to do the actual paperwork. If you don't extend it with the immigration service, they will get sniffy (fines etc) again on the way out. And Visas can be revoked, so take care!

When I spoke with the US embassy in the UK before I left, she said much the same as the reply Simon got - however, that is primarily if you are coming and going regularly. If you are clearly spending more time in the USA than anywhere else (ie. over 6 months a year, and certainly if you keep extending your stay once you are there), then she said you should really apply for a residency visa - particularly as they are at liberty to say you can't stay indefinitely on a B1/B2 visa, and you must leave when the current period is up.

It is possible to convert a B1/B2 to residency, but you do have to have the (primarily financial) means to support yourself while in the USA - typically people who retire here, or spend the winter in Florida for example would have that sort of visa.

xxx
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  #3  
Old 30 Oct 2008
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London UK
Posts: 59
Joel, .. I was relying on the 'Visa On Entry' system August 2008. However, flying into Seattle from Bangkok to join my bike which I'd shipped from South Korea, I was denied access to my flight. Reason: I needed a 'Return or Onwards Ticket' before any airline would accept me. In the end, I bought a forged 'Onwards Ticket' in Bangkok which China Airlines and US Customs accepted.

With hindsight, ... I would have arranged the Visa before I travelled. If I'd just been crossing a land border into USA I don't think there would have been a problem. It is just the 'Airlines' that worry about the fines they receive if your are 'Turned Back' at port of entry.

Enjoy the trip, .... Geoff
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  #4  
Old 30 Oct 2008
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wales / SE UK
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue88 View Post
It is just the 'Airlines' that worry about the fines they receive if your are 'Turned Back' at port of entry.
In addition under ICAO rules if you're refused entry it's the airline that's responsible for flying you back home. They have to pay all the costs and although they'll likely try to recuperate those from you, for them it's a risk. Much better for for everyone to sort visas before leaving really, minimises stress for one thing! The US embassy in London can also be surprisingly helpful if you need them to be. A couple years ago I needed an M1 visa for a flight out four days later... to start with it was a case of "you'll get it when you get it" but with some yessir-nosir I had it in hand on the third day. Just take a good book if you visit the embassy. You'll need it!
Enjoy your trip!
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  #5  
Old 17 Sep 2009
UK Autumn HU Meeting Organiser
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wells, UK
Posts: 84
Has anyone gone through the procedure of renewing their B1/B2 visa with the US immigration and can share how and what happened?

Cheers

Char
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